Rhodes University has fought off a R1-million bid by newspaper company Caxton for South Africa’s oldest family-run newspaper, Grocott’s Mail.
Students from the university’s journalism department will be trained on the paper -‒ which had been saved from becoming ”just another cipher in Caxton’s stable,” according to Professor Guy Berger, head of the Journalism and Media Studies Department.
The paper was bought with a grant from Atlantic Philanthropies, a US foundation. But while the paper’s name may stay the same, it’s going to be run differently.
Berger said he wanted to give Grahamstown a better paper, as well as producing award-winning journalism. He said it was important to broaden its appeal: serving the town, the townships, the countryside and campus. There would also be space for exciting ”experimental journalism”.
”This is probably the first time in Africa for a community paper to link up with a journalism teaching facility to mutual benefit. It will enrich our training activities as well as add extra value to the Grahamstown community,” says Berger.
The paper has been published since May 11 1870. The founder was a young printer who came from Liverpool to work on the Great Eastern Newspaper. This newspaper went bankrupt soon after he arrived in the city and he started his own paper.
Grocott’s now has a circulation of about 2 800 and costs R2. The paper is still published on an ”old world Heidelberg (press) pumping away in the basement”.
Berger said while his department was still fine-tuning its management plans, he thought it should have a core of professional staff and that students would be assigned to different beats. After a time, he thought that photographic, layout and media studies students could also work on the paper. He also planned setting up a website.
And if it fails?
”If it collapses I would have to resign, there’s no doubt about it. But we’ll have to treat it delicately. The paper is viable at the moment, but in small town economics, markets could get frightened. We’ll need to keep existing advertisers. We’ve got to make money in order to publish. We’ve got to be businesslike.”
Journalism students are taught to ask questions. Berger has plenty.
”We can test out what is the developmental role of a paper in terms of improving a micro economy. We have 70% unemployment here. What can a paper do to make a difference?”
Berger said he envisaged the paper carrying some ”civic journalism” and becoming more of a social force. He is adamant to quell concerns the newspaper will become a university or student mouthpiece, stressing that it will strictly remain an editorially independent community paper serving readers and advertisers across Grahamstown.
”It’s quite a challenge. How can we increase commerce? What can a paper do to make a difference to the quality of life and economic health of a city?”
Sid Penney, the paper’s current editor, said the change was exciting and that Berger had indicated there would be a change in editorial policy.
Jeff Grocott and David Rodgerson, the previous co-owners, said that they ”are pleased that the paper and its name are secure for the future”. They will act as consultants for three months after the takeover to ensure continuity, and present staff will be re-employed by the new company on the existing terms and conditions.
Rodgerson explains the decision to sell is a result of careful reflection.
”After considering all the options available for a community paper of this nature, and in the context of the bigger media environment where changes are being experienced continually as the country evolves, this deal not only ensures the independence of the paper, but also its long-term survival,” he says.
Caxton MD Gordon Utian could not be reached for comment yesterday afternoon.